Effect of Co-Operatives on the Livelihoods of Rural Sirisia Constituency in Bungoma County, Kenya

The cooperative movement is a key variable in the growth of the Kenyan economy especially in the rural households. Historically, agricultural cooperatives in Kenya have been a successful and common aspect of rural life; especially in as far as social-economic growth is concerned. These cooperatives have allowed for economic stability and provided a framework for local investment that is community based. The latter is particularly important because while complimenting economic development, cooperatives also directly contribute to community development by establishing local channels of communication and enhancing local decision-making (Brennan and Luloff, 2005). Much of the developing world is experiencing rapid economic growth and the cooperatives aim to bring that growth in the rural areas. However, there has been a challenge in the administrative operations and sustainability of most Agrarian cooperative societies that have diversity in terms of membership. It’s for this reason that this study sought to assess the effect of Agrarian Co-operatives in social-economic development in rural areas, specifically Sirisia constituency, Bungoma County, Kenya. Specifically, the study aims to ascertain the effect of cooperative societies on the livelihoods of the rural households in Bungoma County. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. It targeted 534 members of the cooperative societies from Sirisia Constituency of Bungoma County. A sample of 107 respondents was selected from the target population using stratified random sampling techniques. The study used a standard questionnaire during data collection. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). The findings of the study revealed that the current Cooperative Societies have a very little positive impact on the livelihood of the community members. The study concluded that though the Agrarian Cooperative Societies have a significant positive association with the livelihood of the community, their positive impact on the community livelihood is not felt. In this regard therefore, there is need for the government to facilitate the Agrarian Cooperative Societies to save them from collapsing as much as they are much into the idea of devolution. Keywords: Agrarian Co-operatives,   Social-economic,  Development ,  Rural Area

Uhalisia na uhalisiamazingaombwe: mshabaha kati ya Dunia yao na The tin drum

Je, kuna uhusiano gani kati ya Euphrase Kezilahabi wa Tanzania na Gabriel García Marquez wa Kolombia, au kati ya Kyallo Wadi Wamitila wa Kenya na Juan Rulfo wa Meksiko ama kati ya Günter Grass wa Ujerumani na Said Ahmed Mohamed wa Zanzibar? Waandishi hawa waliotengwa kitaifa na kilugha wanaunganishwa na uamuzi wao wa kuandika riwaya kwenye mtindo usiokuwa wa kawaida, mtindo wa uhalisiamazingaombwe. Kwa kulinganisha na kulinganua riwaya ya Mohamed na ile ya Grass ninakazia nadhari dayolojia ya kina iliyochipuka kati ya fasihi ya Kiswahili na fasihi ya ulimwenguni pote. Ni maoni yangu kwamba riwaya mbili hizi, zinakikabili kizungumkuti cha kuwepo kwa mwanadamu kwa kuutupilia mbali mfumo wa uwakilishi wenye uhalisia kama tunavyoujua. Badala yake riwaya hizi zimezingatia mtindo wa ujumi wa kisasabaadaye (postmodern aesthetics). Kazi hizi za sanaa zinatumia sifa bainifu za uhalisia mazingaombwe kama nyenzo za kuakisi na kuakisi kwa kubirua hali halisi ya udhaifu, kuyumbayumba na ukosefu wa uthabiti na udumifu katika maisha Afrika na Ulaya

Understanding the Lived Experience of Children With Type 1 Diabetes in Kenya: Daily Routines and Adaptation Over Time

Focusing only on biomedical targets neglects the important role that psychosocial factors play in effective diabetes self-management. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) in Kenya. Children (n = 15) participated in focus group discussions and photo diary data collection. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were also conducted with caregivers (n = 14). We describe an adaptation to diabetes over time, identifying four overarching themes: knowledge and awareness, economic exclusion, the importance of social support, and striving for normality. Photo diaries are then categorized to explore daily realities of diabetes management. Children with T1DM in Kenya face varied barriers to care but can lead a “normal” and fulfilling life, provided adequate support is in place. To improve the lives of children with diabetes in this context and others like it, stakeholders must take note of children’s experiences and recognize their multidimensional needs

The Pandemic Treaty, the Pandemic Fund, and the Global Commons: our scepticism

The call to strengthen global health governance against future outbreaks through a binding treaty on pandemics has attracted global attention and opinion. Yet, few of these perspectives have reflected the voices from early career global health professionals in Africa. We share our perspectives on the Pandemic Treaty, and specifically our scepticism on the limitations of the current top-down approach of the treaty, and the need for the treaty to centre equity, transparency and fairness to ensure equitable and effective cooperation in response to global health emergencies. We also highlight the challenges intergovernmental organisations for health faced in coordinating nation states during the COVID-19 crisis and how a Pandemic Treaty would address these challenges. We argue that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic provide a critical opportunity to strengthen regional institutions in Africa—particularly in a multipolar world with huge disparities in power and resources. However, addressing these challenges and achieving this transformation may not be easy. Fiscal space in many countries remains constrained now more than ever. New tools such as the Pandemic Fund should be designed in ways that consider the specific needs and capacities of countries. Therefore, strengthening countries’ capacities overall requires an increase in domestic investment. This paper calls for wider structural reforms such as debt restructuring among other tools to strengthen countries’ capacities

Understanding the Lived Experience of Children With Type 1 Diabetes in Kenya : Daily Routines and Adaptation Over Time

Focusing only on biomedical targets neglects the important role that psychosocial factors play in effective diabetes self-management. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) in Kenya. Children (n = 15) participated in focus group discussions and photo diary data collection. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were also conducted with caregivers (n = 14). We describe an adaptation to diabetes over time, identifying four overarching themes: knowledge and awareness, economic exclusion, the importance of social support, and striving for normality. Photo diaries are then categorized to explore daily realities of diabetes management. Children with T1DM in Kenya face varied barriers to care but can lead a “normal” and fulfilling life, provided adequate support is in place. To improve the lives of children with diabetes in this context and others like it, stakeholders must take note of children’s experiences and recognize their multidimensional needs

Wachonge

Indigenous musi

Wamurwe

Indigenous musi

Kaloi

Indigenous musi

Nalungunyo

Indigenous musi